On 27 September 2009 Watch Manager Sean Spearing
and Crew Manager Matt Osbourne took part in the New York
'Tunnel to Towers' Challenge raising vital funds for GAFSIP (Gambia and Avon Fire
Services in Partnership) and The Fire Fighters
Charity. So far they have raised a fantastic
£2,500.
Running in full firefighting equipment, the five kilometre
challenge started at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and finished at
the World Trade Centre Memorial Site.
The pair took part in this grueling challenge to raise money for
two great causes:
- The Fire Fighters Charity which provides pioneering treatment
and support services for thousands of British firefighters that are
injured every year helping others; and
- GAFSIP which is a charitable trust that makes a real difference
in The Gambia by sending out fire and rescue, health and
educational equipment that has reached the end of its service life
here in the UK but is still usable. It is a great way of recycling
which benefits a huge amount of people. GAFSIP is currently raising
money to provide a radio communication network for the Gambia Fire
and Rescue Service which currently relies on mobile phones to cover
its 300 mile area.
The Tunnel to Towers event was set up in memory of firefighter
Stephen Siller who died following the attacks on the Twin Towers on
11 September 2001. Stephen had been off duty when he learned of the
incident and, prevented from driving to the scene due to road
blocks in place, he raced on foot from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel
with his kit on his back.
The event sees competitors following the same route
Stephen took that day.
Before the run Sean said: “The events of 11 September 2001
touched the lives of people all around the world. By taking part in
this charity event we will not only be paying tribute to the many
firefighters who lost their lives trying to save others, but also
raising much-needed funds for two charities close to our
hearts.”
You can find more information by downloading the leaflet
Tunnel to Towers (PDF 628kb, opens in a new
window)